FAIRMONT, Minn. -- The United States Modified Touring Series and every member of the racing community lost a dear friend on Friday.

Kevin Kollofski, owner and founder of KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, passed away on Friday morning, June 17, 2011, at his home in Fairmont, Minn.

“There was not a friendlier person in the racing business,” said USMTS president Todd Staley. “My wife, Janet, and I were heartbroken when we heard the news on Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jane and Oliver and everybody else who was lucky enough to call Kevin their friend.”

KEVKO Oil Pans & Components has been the Official Oil Pan of the USMTS since the inception of the series in 1999.

Kevin was 56 years old.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont with internment in Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Kevin Jerome Kollofski was born on April 19, 1955, in Fairmont, son of Dr. H.J. and Dorothy (Wiseman) Kollofski. He graduated from Fairmont High School in 1973. Kevin was united in marriage with Jane Zenk on Feb. 7, 1981. They had one son, Oliver.

Kevin's entrepreneurial abilities allowed him, along with help of Jane, to take his hobby and create a unique business, KEVKO Racing Oil Pans and Components in 1986, which presently sells products worldwide. He was very proud of achieving 25 years in business.

Kevin loved auto racing and was a regular participant at Fairmont Raceway through the 1970s and 1980s, winning multiple track championships. He continued to race through the 1990s, before turning the driving duties over to Oliver in 2001. They have continued to race together every summer since. Kevin cherished his time outdoors, boating, golfing, running his dog and going to music events, all with his best friend, Jane. He was a past board member of the Fairmont Youth Hockey Association and Interlaken Golf Club.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Jane Kollofski of Fairmont; son, Oliver Kollofski and his wife, Emily, and their son, Jace, of Fairmont; mother, Dorothy Kollofski of Fairmont; brother, John Kollofski and his wife, Allison, of Houlton, Wis.; two sisters, Sharon Nolte and her husband, Jerome, of Brainerd and Cindy Kollofski of Portland, Ore.; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Zenk and her husband, Jim, of Iola, Wis., Linda Bentley and her husband, Kipp, of Denver, Colo., Suzanne Miller of South Bend, Ind.; godchild, Jordan Wohlhuter of Fairmont; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Dr. H.J. Kollofski; brother, Richard Riggs; father-in-law, Ervin Zenk; and mother-in-law, Elaine Zenk.

The family prefers that memorials be designated to the Martin County Humane Society or the Lakeview Healthcare Foundation.

Friends and fans can leave their sympathies and well wishes at www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net/?p=4306.